The 2011 Volvo V50 belongs to the second generation of the station wagon based on the Volvo S40 sedan. This second generation was released in 2004, and had a slight facelift in 2008. The V designation means “versatile”, alluding to the versatility of Volvo estate wagons. But is the 2011 Volvo V50 really versatile, and then some?
Exterior & Interior
First of all, we are going to look at the exterior. It looks very sporty, seemingly ready to shed the boring image that the V40 that it replaced. It looks muscular and sporty, thanks to widened fenders and a sculpted hood. Both young and old would surely appreciate its looks. And if that’s not enough, there is the R-Design option, featuring spoilers, side skirts, and modified exhaust pipes for a more aggressive looking ride.
As for the interior, it is very functional as well. It is spacious enough to seat 5 adults comfortably and gobble up a ton of baggage along for the ride. And if you fold the rear seats, more space can be generated. In addition, this car is constructed in typical Scandinavian fashion, with function dictating form. In translation, the design is mostly stylish yet very practical. Plus, the available sound system options are known to produce quality audio performances.
Performance
Power is provided by a several engines, the 5 cylinder turbo engine is capable of producing up to 230 horsepower. With this motor, it is more than capable to back up the newfound sporty image of the V50. This is mated to a Geartronic transmission, an automatic that has a manual function. This car is also economic, capable of going 30 miles to the gallon.
Safety
And then there’s the safety equipment. As a Volvo, you can expect the V50 to help you walk away from almost any accident unscathed. There are a host of airbags, including on the side and the head curtain. Active headrests and a rear view camera are also available. Driving aids such as traction control and anti lock brakes are present, and they perform impressively. And for those that have children, optional booster seats can greatly increase their kids’ safety inside the car.
Pros & Cons
There have been rave reviews for the Volvo V50. First of all, it lives up to being versatile. The interior has a lot of space for both people and luggage, and beats out most cars in its class in this department. In addition, the interior bits are quality made, simple to use, and functional.
Also, the integration of these features is elegant enough to make it stand out to the competition. And the performance is excellent, especially with the T5 engine. The engine is both strong and fuel efficient and the handling is sharp and seemingly capable of taking in more power. Lastly, the safety of this car is top notch, as expected in Volvo cars.
The 2011 V50 is the quintessential Volvo: comfortable, functional, sophisticated, and safe. And now you can add among its strong characteristics this: fun to drive. Packed with style and performance, it has banished the misconceptions about the car and the brand in one fell swoop. It might be expensive, but the price of acquisition is well worth it. Indeed, it lived up to its name: Versatile, and more.
Overall Rating
65 out of 100
What others say:
“The V50 has comfortable, supportive seats in front, but overall interior room is more compact than you might expect from Volvo–particularly in the back, where things get a little cramped.”Car Connection
“The 2011 Volvo V50 lineup shrinks, with manual-transmission and all-wheel-drive models no longer available.”Consumer Guide
“Not quite a luxury car despite premium pricing; handling falls short of true sport wagons; all-wheel drive is unavailable.”Edmunds
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Wagon | Base Price: $29,000.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gallons (60 liters) | Miles Per Gallon: 21 city / 30 hwy |
| Length: 178 in. (452 cm) | Width: 69.7 in. (177 cm) |
| Height: 57.4 in. (145.7 cm) | Wheel Base: 103.9 in. (263.9 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 3524 lbs (1598 kg) | Curb to Curb Turning Radius: 34.9 ft. |
| Luggage Capacity: 62.6 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: 20-valve DOHC inline-5 | Displacement: 2.5 Liter |
| Horsepower: 227 HP | Max RPM: 5000 RPM |
| Torque: 236 lb-ft @ 1500-5000 rpm | Transmission: 5-Speed Shiftable Automatic |
| 0-60 mph: 6.8 seconds | Max Towing Capacity: 2000 lbs (907 kgs) |
| Option:R-Design | MSRP: $32,850; MPG: 21 city / 30 hwy |
